A list of acoustic guitar brands, with information about each company and the guitars they make. You’ll find out about guitars from Martin, Taylor, Yamaha, and a host of other smaller brands.
List Of Acoustic Guitar Brands: Intro
In this list we’ve included all of the major manufacturers of acoustic guitars, plus several promising smaller firms who are making a name for themselves in this particular niche.
We’ve also included any notable players associated with the brand, and an example of a guitar made by the brand that that is representative of their range.
A to Z List of Guitar Brands, With Example Models
Alvarez
Alvarez guitars specialize in acoustic, acoustic-electric and classical instruments.
- Famous guitarists who use Alvarez guitars:Â Joe Bonamassa, Johnny Cash, Sir Paul McCartney, Carlos Santana, Bob Weir
- Visit the Alvarez website.
- Guitar to check out: Alvarez Artist Series AD60 Dreadnought Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Blueridge
- Visit the Blueridge website.
- Guitar to check out: Blueridge BR-140 Historic Series Dreadnought Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Crafter
- Guitarists who use Crafter guitars: Keri Kelly, Dario Lorina
- Visit the Crafter website.
- Guitar to check out:Â Crafter GAE-6Â (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
D’Angelico
- Guitarists who use D’Angelico guitars include: John Mayer, Nile Rodgers and Eric Clapton.
- Visit the D’Angelico website.
- Guitar to check out: D’Angelico Madison Jumbo Cutaway Acoustic-Electric (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Dowina
- Guitarists who use Dowina guitars: Anna Veselovská, Jana Kirschner
- Visit the Dowina website.
- Guitar to check out: Dowina Danubius D Acoustic Guitar
Eastman
- Guitarists who use Eastman guitars:Â Nels Cline, Gaz Coombes, Tyler Edwards
- Visit the Eastman website.
- Guitar to check out: Eastman AC422CE Grand Auditorium Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Epiphone
Epiphone make a wide range of electric and acoustic guitars, many of which are ‘value’ versions of higher-priced Gibson models.
- Guitarists who use Epiphone acoustic guitars: Jack Ingram, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Alex Lifeson
- Visit the Epiphone website.
- Guitar to check out: Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Faith
- Guitarists who use Faith guitars:Â Gavin Burrough, Andy Crowley, Paul Smith
- Visit the Faith website.
- Guitar to check out: Faith Venus Electro/Cut HiGloss (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.co.uk)
Fender
- Visit the Fender website (acoustic section).
- Guitar to check out: Fender FA-100 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Gibson
Gibson Brands, Inc. started life in 1902 as the ‘Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co., Ltd’. Today the company is one of the biggest names in guitar manufacturing.
Gibson makes a range of mainly high-end acoustic guitars, which includes models first made in the 1960’s.
- Visit the Gibson website (acoustic section).
- Guitar to check out: Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic-Electric Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Godin
Godin are a Canadian acoustic guitar manufacturer that also owns brands such as Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Norman, & Lutherie and La Patrie.
As well as making electric and semi-acoustic guitars, Godin produce a range of innovative acoustic-electric guitars, in both steel-string and nylon varieties.
- Visit the Godin website.
- Guitar to check out: Godin A6 Two-Chambered Electro-Acoustic Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Guild
Previously owned by Fender, and now owned by the Californian Cordoba Music Group, Guild was originally formed in 1952 in New York.
The brand now makes a range of mid to high-end guitars in California.
- Guitarists who use Guild guitars: Brian May, Billy Duffy, Ethan Luck, Fran Healy
- Visit the Guild website.
- Guitar to check out: Guild M-120 Acoustic Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Ibanez
Ibanez is a Japanese guitar brand, owned by Hoshino Gakki, a musical instrument manufacturer that also owns Tama drums.
Ibanez was one of the first Japanese brands to become widely known in the United States and Europe. Today the company makes a wide range of electric and acoustic guitars in all price ranges.
- Guitarists who use Ibanez acoustic guitars: Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Matthew Lowe & Tom Sweet, Keston Cobblers Club
- Visit the Ibanez website (acoustic section).
- Guitar to check out: Ibanez AW54OPN Artwood Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
James Neligan
- Visit the James Neligan website.
- Guitar to check out: James Neligan ASY-A MINI ASYLA Series Auditorium Acoustic Travel Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Larrivée
Larrivée is a Canadian acoustic guitar company that today makes its instruments in California. The company was founded in 1967 by luthier Jean Larrivée.
Larrivée produce a range of mid to high-end acoustic guitars.
- Guitarists who use Larrivée guitars: Klaus Eichstadt, Ed Robertson
- Visit the Larrivée website.
- Guitar to check out: Larrivee D-40 Legacy Dreadnought Mahogany Acoustic Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Martin
No list of acoustic guitar brands would be complete without Martin. C.F. Martin & Company is one of the world’s best-known and well-respected makers of acoustic guitars. Founded in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin, the company has produced a number of iconic acoustic guitars, including the D-45, D-35, D-28 and D-18.
Martin’s high-end models are made in the USA. The company also manufactures guitars in its Mexico factory.
- Guitarists who use Martin guitars: Tony Rice, Chris Cornell, Del McCoury, Ed Sheeran (and many others)
- Visit the Martin website.
- Guitar to check out:Â Martin D-18Â (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Michael Kelly
- Michael Kelly produce a range of acoustic guitars come in a range of traditional and modern designs.
- Visit the Michael Kelly website.
- Guitar to check out: Michael Kelly Guitars MKTPE Triad Port (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Mitchell
- Visit the Mitchell website.
- Guitar to check out: Mitchell MX400 Exotic Wood Acoustic-Electric guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Ovation
Ovation, or the Ovation Guitar Company, to give it its full name, is known for its characteristic round-backed guitars and original headstock design. Founded in New Hartford, Connecticut in 1965, Ovation was sold to Fender in 2008. The brand is now owned by Drum Workshop.
Ovation produces guitars in most price ranges, including entry-level instruments.
- Guitarists who use Ovation guitars:Â Ian Ethan Case, Benjamin Burnley, Kevin Cronin, Dave Amato
- Visit the Ovation website.
- Guitar to check out: Ovation CE44-5 Acoustic-Electric Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Paris Swing
Paris Swing produce instruments based on the guitars made by French company Selmer between 1932 and 1952.
Aimed primarily at gypsy jazz guitarists hoping to recreate the tone of Django Reinhardt, these Chinese-made instruments are the closest many will get to the real thing.
- Visit the Paris Swing website.
- Guitar to check out: Paris Swing GG-39 Model 39 Gypsy Jazz Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Rainsong
- Visit the Rainsong website.
- Guitar to check out:Â RainSong Guitars Concert Series CO-WS1000N2Â (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Recording King
- Visit the Recording King website.
- Guitar to check out:Â Recording King ROH-07 Dirty 30’s Harmonella 000Â (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Santa Cruz Guitar Company
- Guitarists who use Santa Cruz guitars: Tony Rice, Johnny Cash, Martin Taylor, Doc Watson
- Visit the Santa Cruz website.
- Guitar to check out: The Tony Rice
Seagull
- Visit the Seagull website.
- Guitar to check out: Seagull S6 Original (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Sigma
Sigma is an acoustic guitar brand originally started by Martin in 1970 in response to inexpensive Japanese-made guitars appearing on the American market.
The brand was discontinued in 2011, but resurrected by a German company that now imports guitars made under the Sigma name from China.
- Visit the Sigma website.
- Guitar to check out: Sigma Guitars SD15SHB Mahogany Dreadnought (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Takamine
Takamine is a Japanese manufacturer of acoustic guitars. Takamine was at the forefront of electro-acoustic guitar design, and pioneered the use of pre-amps and equalizers on their instruments.
The brand has always been well-thought of by acoustic guitarists, and produces guitars right across the price range spectrum.
- Guitarists who use Takamine guitars: Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, John Scofield, Hozier
- Visit the Takamine website.
- Guitar to check out: Takamine GN93CE-NAT Nex Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Taylor
Taylor Guitars is an American acoustic guitar brand, based in El Cajon, California. The company was founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug. Since then Taylor has gone on to become one of the best-known acoustic guitar brands.
Taylor’s high-end guitars are made in its California factory, while its lower-priced models are made in Tecate, Mexico.
- Guitarists who use Taylor guitars:Â Tony Iommi, Taylor Swift, David Mayfield, Phillip Phillips, Rob Cavallo, Silent Comedy
- Visit the Taylor website.
- Guitar to check out: Taylor 114 100 Series Acoustic Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
The Loar
- Guitarists who use The Loar guitars: Christian Letts, Daniel Ellsworth, Doug Freeman, Jonny Fritz
- Visit the The Loar website.
- Guitar to check out: The Loar LH-204-BR Brownstone Small Body Acoustic Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Washburn
Washburn Guitars was founded in 1883 in Chicago. It made guitars, mandolins, banjos and zithers until the 1940s.
The brand was resurrected in the 1960’s as an importer of quality instruments. Today Washburn is owned by JAM Industries USA, who own several other familiar brands, including Marshall Amplifiers and DigiTech Effects.
- Guitarists who use Washburn guitars: Trevor Rabin, Nuno Bettencourt, Richie Owens
- Visit the Washburn website.
- Guitar to check out:Â Washburn WD10 Series WD10SÂ (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
Yamaha
The Yamaha Corporation, as well as making a huge range of electric and acoustic instruments, also manufacture motorcycles, electronics and sports equipment.
Despite this wide variety of products, the Japanese multinational’s acoustic guitars have been consistently well-made. Over the years they’ve picked up a large number of fans.
Today’s range features instruments from entry level up.
- Guitarists who use Yamaha acoustic guitars: lots
- Visit the Yamaha website (acoustic section).
- Guitar to check out: Yamaha FG800 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)
List of Acoustic Guitar Brands: Conclusion
Are you thinking about buying a new acoustic guitar? Wondering which brand to go for? It’s a big decision; you could be stuck with your new guitar for many years. You don’t want to pick the wrong one!
Brand loyalty is high among guitarists; we tend to get attached to our instruments – even to the point of overlooking their faults. Any criticism of the brand becomes a personal insult!
However, for this list we’ve remained professional and non-partisan!
We hope that you have enjoyed learning about the acoustic guitar brands listed above. Ultimately, whatever guitar you play, it’s up to you to put the work in and make the music.
While it would be nice to have a Martin D-18 and a Gibson Hummingbird sitting side by side in your practice room, a decent Yamaha will do the job of both guitars – leaving you some cash to spend on lessons, promotion, recording gear … and food!
Happy playing!
You left out one of the best hand crafted guitars in America. Zager guitars were used by the Johnny Cash band, Bruce Springsteen, Garth Brooks, Lady GAGA and others. I own one and it really is easier to play and sounds great. Also more volume with less effort.
Where is Breedlove guitars?
We are working on updating all of the content on the site. If anyone has any more recommendations then we’d be pleased to consider them! 🙂
where is Samick or Cort. The largest makers of guitar
in korea.
How can we get an updated list?
Has anyone ever heard of a acoustic guitar with a paper label inside the sound hole called (LAUREL) Not Laurel canyon ! Just( LAUREL )With a (BDS. 051012124.
Has anyone ever heard of a guitar with the name VIVARY on the head stock ? Sound hole labe states DUCK-YOUNG INDUSTRIES CO. LTD Korea. I picked one up 30 plus years ago seam to play well and built well.
Also any reviews on Zager guitars? Seams to be alot of talk on the internet.
Thanks
I have a guitar with Dolce on the headstock that says the same inside
What about Collings Guitars, Austin, Texas
I have a Wizard acoustic guitar that was made in USA. It has a serial number stamped on the makers label inside the sound box S.40. The name Wizard is also on the neck. Any idea as to how old the guitar is. I am 72 years old and my late father had the guitar during WW2 that ended in 1945, so it is a rather old guitar.
Hi David,
Thank you for your message. Sorry, we can’t help you with this one; all we could find was a brief mention of Wizard Guitars here: https://jedistar.com/wizard/
It sounds like you own a little piece of history! We wish you luck trying to find out more about the guitar.
Regards,
The Guitar Command Team
If any of our readers have any information (or perhaps own a Wizard Guitar themselves), please leave a comment below.